Chatham Borough's First Tree Lighting Draws Hundreds

Several hundred people filled the front lawn of the Library of the Chathams Thursday evening for Chatham Borough's first Christmas tree lighting.

The 6:30 p.m. event featured a visit from Santa Claus, who stepped out from library entrance to greet the excited crowd. Attendees snapped photos and families posed for pictures in front of the brightly lit tree.

Chatham borough officials were in attendance and the Chatham Grade 3 Children's Chorus performed. Unwrapped Toys for Tots donations were accepted.

Event organizer Tony Britt of the Chatham Downtown Alliance said it was a great community event, and "hopefully it's the start of a new borough tradition."

At first, he was not sure where the borough would get a tree for the lighting. Then, he realized a tree already on the library lawn was just the right size.

The multi-color lights on the tree were strung by the same company that put up white lights on the trees in Chatham's downtown this year for the first time in years.

Coming up

Santa is scheduled to make his annual visit the Green Village firehouse in Chatham Township Sunday evening.